Improved washing-machine



@anni chilling.

A'LVA BELGHER, OF DELHI, NEW YORK.

' Laim Patent' No. 101,087, dated March 22, 1870.

IMPROVED WASHING-MACHIR The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patentand making part of the same.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALVA BELCHER, of Delhi,in the county of Delaware andk State of New York, have invented certainImprovements in Washing-Machines,

of which the following is a specification.

Nature and Objects of the Invention.

The first part of my invention relates to the adjustment of the distancebetween the rubbing or vibrating head and wash-board by means of anelastic wedge, or its equivalent, in such a manner that while thedistance can be adjusted to accommodate thick or thin4 Description oftherD-raurings.

. Figure 1 is a side View of a washing-machine elnbodying my invention,the tub being shown in section at T.,

l Figure 2 is an end view of. the rubbing-head' and wash-board bmhinedwith my improvements.

Figure 3 is a top view or plan of the same.

General Description. A is the wash-board, provided with 'the usualcorrugated sulface, h.

On each side ofthe wash-board A a slot, s, is made,

extending nearly the whole length ofthe frame, through which the lowerends of the guide-pins D D pass, and

in which they slide. l

B is a rubbing or vibrating head, provided with the usual fluted orcorrugated rollers, c c c. It is also provided at each side with a slotor hole through which 4the guide-pinsD D pass.

D D are guide-pins., the upper ends of which pass 4through the slots inthe rubbing-head, the lower ends .passing-through the slots s s in thewash-board. The

upper ends of the guide-pins are made larger than that part which passesthrough the slots s s in the washboard, so that they may not dropthrough when the Vrubbing-head is lifted off. `The upper ends of theguide-pins D D are also each provided with a slot, g, through which therubber wedges F F pass.

E is a roller provided at each end with a flange, e. The roller E isconnected with and Works between the lower ends of the guide-pins D D,the flanges e e pressing against and rolling on the under side of thewashboard A when in use, as shown in lig. 2.

F Fare rubber wedges, which also act as springs. They pass through theslots q g in the upper ends of the guide-pins D D, and by their actiongive the required pressure during the process of Washing, which pressurecan be increased or diminished at pleasure, While at the same timesuicient spring is obtained to allow of the rubbing-head passing over abutton or any inequality in `the fabric, without injury to the articleWashed or the machine.

-The machine can be placed in any common washtub, as shown in fig. 1,the tub being shown in section at T T. The tub is placedin a simpleframe, G, at the back of which rises a standard, H. A crank, a, isattached to the top of the standard H,.which crank is connected with therubbing-head Bv by means of the pitman or connecting-rod d. By turningthe handle b of the crank a the rubbing-head B is moved or vibrated upand down over the top of the washboard A, or on the clothes insertedbetween them.

The advantages of' this improvement are:

First, the machine can be used in connection with any ordinary wash-tub.

Second, the roller E lessons the friction, and consequently the powerrequired to operate the machine.

Third, the rubber wedge-springs F F can be adjusted to give a light orheavy uniform pressure on either thick or thin fabrics, and do notrustand spoil the clothes like metallic springs.

What I claim as my invention and improvement in washing-machines, is- WThe construction and arrangement of the elastic Wedges F F and roller E,in combination with the guide-pins D D, rubbing-head B, and wash-boardA, ubstantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set orth.

ALVA BELOHER.

-\Vitnesses J osEPH EVELAND, J ouN WooDBURN.

